Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Choice centering, mostly full and clear strike of Chrysanthemum fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff F-3), reperfed at bottom, Very Fine strike of this rare and unusual Waterbury fancy cancel, we estimate there are eight off-cover stamps and four covers with the Waterbury Chrysanthemum cancel, ex Jennings and Gross
1c Buff (112). Cancelled by nearly complete strike of Buttonless Shoe (Congress Gaiter) of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff O-12), reperfed at right and faint diagonal crease at bottom left, Very Fine strike of this scarce fancy cancel, according to Wikipedia, this style of buttonless shoe was invented for Queen Victoria in 1836, utilizing stretchable rubber (a new invention) at the sides in place of laces but still keeping the profile of lace-ups, its feminine image was soon lost and was adopted by male wearers, at which time it was dubbed the Congress Gaiter or Boston Boot in the United States, ex Gross, with 2019 P.F. certificate
1c Buff (112). Wide margins and perfect centering, rich color on fresh paper, bold circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00), only six grade higher
1c Buff (112). Rich color, wide margins, cancelled by rim of circular datestamp and segmented cork, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Buff, 2c Brown (112-113). Original gum, h.r., Fine-Very Fine, with 1993 or 2006 P.S.E. certificate
2c Brown, Without Grill (113b). Original gum, deep rich colorFINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
Since 1993 we have offered about a dozen singles, plus a rejoined block of four. Most examples of the 2c 1869 Without Grill are significantly off center, with perfs in on one side.
With 2020 P.S.A.G. and 2021 P.F. certificates
2c Brown (113). Unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, rich color, cork cancel leaves horse and rider clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,425.00), only four grade higher and two others share this desirable grade
3c Ultramarine (114). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $750.00)
6c Ultramarine (115). Rich color, choice centering with wide margins, bold cork cancel, most recent certificate notes 6mm tear at upper left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2006 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates, the first graded XF 90, the second (VF 80; SMQ $225.00)
6c Ultramarine (115). Rich color, bold strike of blue target cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, neat strike of target cancel, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, Brun backstamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $425.00)
10c Yellow (116). Vivid color on fresh paper, well-struck "N. York Steamship" circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Pretty shade, bold 4-bar cork grid and part of red cancel at left, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
12c Green (117). Rich color, detailed impression, cork cancel and red transit handstamp, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate
12c Green (117). Precise centering, sharp impression, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
15c Black, Ty. I with Small Numeral, Large Die Essay on India (118-E3; formerly 118-E1c). On 78 x 66mm card with full die sinkage, "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y." imprint (lightly inked), scattered tiny faint toned spots, barest trace of thinning in card on back corners from mount removalVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SMALL NUMERAL DIE ESSAY FOR THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE AND THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN BLACK.
This impression from the unified die with the Type I frame and small numeral is the only example in black that we have offered since keeping computerized records.
Ex Finkelburg (probably from the Earl of Crawford collection and Brazer before that)..
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Bright colors, faint cancel at left leaves entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only four grade higher (one at 95J, one at 98 and two at 98J)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Wide margins, fresh colors, rosette cancel, Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors, fresh and Fine
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Wide and balanced margins, rich colors, unobtrusive target cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $725.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors nicely complemented by red segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Exceptionally well-centered with wide and balanced margins, detailed impressions, unobtrusive strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). Only seven grade higher
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide margins, lovely rich colors, quartered cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, rich colors on bright paper, perfect centering with wide and beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS EXCEPTIONAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The rarity of centered original-gum examples of the 30c 1869 with grill is somewhat obscured by the availability of off-center copies of the 30c with and without grill. If the scope were narrowed to Scott 121 only, and only grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine were considered, we estimate that fewer than 15 examples would be counted. Among the qualifying stamps, this is without a doubt one of the finest.
Ex Arthur W. Bingham, Jr. (Sale 325, lot 830). With 1968 and 2021 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). No other examples share this lofty grade in the P.F. on-line records. By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists none at the Superb 98 grade and only two at the XF-Superb 95 grade. P.S.E. does not even price this issue above the grade of 95
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Deep rich colors on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, bold circle of wedges cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,300.00)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Wide margins all around, strong colors, circle of Vs cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,000.00). Only three grade higher (2 at 95J, 1 at 98J), and only seven others share this grade
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, neat segmented cork cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE WIDE-MARGINED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Wide margins, cork cancel, Very Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate